ONGWEDIVA- Namibian Police chief Joseph Shikongo has ordered traffic officers to stop hiding police vehicles in the bushes along highways, and jumping onto the road to stop speeding motorists.
“Is that the way to go? Why would you hide the traffic vehicle? Sometimes traffic officers are not even putting on reflectors, which is dangerous,” he said.
Shikongo added that motorists should not abuse the leniency of traffic officers who give them warnings instead of issuing tickets to mean they should break the rules of the road on purpose.
“I am informed that there are some road users who drive through red traffic lights, and giving excuses that I said they should not be issued tickets.
That is not what I have said. I said officers should consider wellness checks such as tyres, cracked windows and others,” he noted.
Shikongo further indicated that officers are there to perform their duties, and whoever is not adhering to the rules deserves punishment.
He said the government plans installing cameras on long distance routes so they will be capable of fining motorists on the spot for speeding, cellphone usage, not wearing seatbelts, and speeding over a distance between cameras.
When Shikongo visited the Ohangwena region last week before embarking on patrol along the Namibia-Angola border to sensitise the community on contraband and crime prevention, he urged police officers to pull up their socks to deliver effective service to the public.
He urged police officers to be committed and dedicated, and stop laziness.
“We are entrusted with a huge responsibility to always maintain law and order in a professional manner. Let the community feel our presence, let our community be served,’’ he advised.
He also mentioned the unacceptable behaviour of some junior officers who refuse taking orders and commands from their superiors, warning that such attitudes would not be tolerated in the force.
Shikongo indicated that his office frequently receives complaints from some sections of society that some police officers are delivering poor service, particularly at some charge offices and investigations’ units.
“Some of these members tend to be self-appointed bosses who show no respect, politeness, friendliness or compassion to our clients in providing policing services. We should, therefore, devise strategies to address these types of irresponsible conduct. Of essence is also the budgetary constraint that is affecting police operations,’’ stressed Shikongo.
Meanwhile, 10 people were injured in a car crash in Ohangwena.
Ohangwena police spokesperson Andrew Nghiyolwa said the accident occurred on the Etomba-Omundaungilo road at Oheti village in the Omundaungilo constituency.
He said a Toyota Hilux single cab bakkie was loaded with fuel, which burst into flames in the process.
Nghiyolwa said although no fatalities were recorded, about 10 people were injured, four of whom suffered serious burns, and were taken to Eenhana district hospital.